Living with and beyond cancer

The Recovery Package

The Recovery Package combines several interventions which improve care co-ordination and outcomes for individuals living with or after a cancer diagnosis.

It combines several interventions; Holistic Needs Assessment and Care Planning, Treatment Summary, Cancer Care Review and Health and Wellbeing Events. These elements form part of an overall support and self-management package for people affected by cancer.

There is more information on the main elements of the Recovery Package here. You can also discuss it with your Clinical Nurse Specialist or the Macmillan Advice and Guidance Service.

Stratified follow-up

Stratified follow-up is the process of placing individuals onto the best follow-up pathway according to their specific clinical and personal needs. It has a focus on promoting recovery and wellbeing.

The individual will receive a personalised plan of care based on specific treatment information and Recovery Package interventions. This approach encourages patients to take an active role in their own care and ensures they are supported to self-manage their health.

The aim is to improve patient experience and outcomes, and quality of care. It will also increase capacity in our hospital clinics as fewer patients will be coming in for unnecessary appointments.

Queen Elizabeth Hospital have an established Breast Stratified follow-up pathway as of December 2018.

Working with other Cancer Alliances across London, we are committed to implementing stratified models of follow-up in other cancer pathways.

We aim to embed stratified follow-up in prostate and colorectal cancer pathways by 2021 in line with national cancer guidelines.

Programmes of care following cancer treatment

You may find it helpful to join a programme that provides information to survivors and carers on how to adjust to life after cancer treatment. These are free and are run through the Macmillan Psychological support team (MAPS) and Living With and Beyond Cancer (LWBC) team at the Trust. The programmes focus on managing the side effects of treatment, diet, exercise, emotional health and self-care, returning to work, and information and support. Some of the available programmes are detailed below.

Next Steps

Next Steps is a six week self-management course designed for all cancer types and focusses on psychological, physical and social needs. The weekly sessions are completely confidential and take place in relaxed surroundings.

The course in brief:

• Takes place over six consecutive weeks at the same day and time
• Each group session of 6-12 people is two hours
• Led by specialist cancer clinicians
• It's a confidential environment with no interruptions

Road to Resilience

Road to Resilience is a weekly psychological skills workshop with one session a week for four weeks. The aim is to enable those living with and beyond cancer to develop and apply skills that have been shown to have a positive impact on general wellbeing; including enhanced life meaning, life vitality and resilience.

The course is a mixture of presentations, individual exercises and group interaction where important skills can be learnt in a mutually supportive environment.

Lewisham Bowel Cancer Support Group

• When: Every second Tuesday of the month, 10.30am to 12.30pm
• Where: Owen Centre, University Lewisham Hospital, SE13 6LH

All patients and their family and carers are welcome to join.

For more information, please contact Lisa Killick on 07722 847123, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Queen Elizabeth Bowel Cancer Support Group

• When: Every first Tuesday of the month, 5.30pm to 7pm
• Where: Macmillan Brook Unit, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Stadium Road, London, SE18 4QH

All patients and their family and carers are welcome to join.

For more information, call the Macmillan Advice and Guidance Service on 020 8333 3336 or email lg.mags@nhs.net. 

Prostate Cancer Support Group

• When: Every 2nd Wednesday of the month from 2pm to 4pm
• Where: Glass Mill Leisure Centre, 41 Loampit Vale, SE13 7FT

This group is open to all individuals and families affected by prostate cancer. 

For more information, call 03333 355916 or 03300 583464 or email infor@cancerdontletitwincic.com. 

You're not the only one: for people living with advanced cancer

A group where people living with advanced cancer can speak and meet other people who are going through similar experiences.

• When: The group meets once a month on a Thursday afternoon

To register or for more information, call 020 8333 3336 or email lg.maps@nhs.net 

Are you a carer for someone with cancer?

'A Caring Mind' on the Cancer Care Map is a website and blog that offers forums and support groups in London and beyond, via Zoom aimed at mental health carers and those caring for someone living with cancer.

Cancer Care Map